Following the death of two men who contracted Legionnaires’ disease from a store’s display hot tub, the Health and Safety Executive has published updated guidance on spa pool Legionella compliance.
The development of Legionella bacteria is not restricted to large-scale spa pool facilities such as those found in hotels. Therefore, this new publication is also aimed at anyone who owns a domestic-type spa pool or hot tub, such as in holiday home rentals or, as mentioned, in store displays. Hot tub sales have become increasingly popular in recent years, however, many people aren’t aware of the heightened risk of Legionella as hot tubs and Jacuzzi’s act as a perfect breeding ground for the bacteria.
Temperature
The optimum temperature for Legionella to grow is body temperature, which is around 37°C. The pathogen becomes dormant under 20°C and is killed when in water above 50°C, therefore, if Legionella is in a hot tub or Jacuzzi, which usually run between 30°C and 40°C, then it has a higher percentage of developing.
Food Source
Unfortunately, spa pools are known to be brimming with plenty of food for bacteria to feast on, such as: hair, skin flakes, scum, saliva and sun cream. This means that Legionella has a buffet of nutrients to survive on and this is heightened even more if the spa pool is outside as debris from the environment also act as a great food source for Legionella.
Distribution Method
Legionnaires’ disease is contracted through breathing in contaminated water droplets, for example, like the aerosol that comes off of a running shower. When a spa pool is operating, it creates bubbles which let off a mist, therefore, anyone sitting in a hot tub that contains Legionella is able to breath in the bacteria through these water droplets.
Maintenance
Spa pools are built using a system of pumps, pipes and filters which all contain water so it is important to ensure that all are cleaned, maintained and disinfected on a regular basis to reduce the risk of Legionella forming. A competent person should be made responsible for the testing and servicing of the spa pool.
Chemical Dosing
A significant amount of chemicals are needed to treat the water and maintain the correct pH balance as well as to help control bacteria. Again, a trained and competent person needs to ensure frequent and regular testing of the chemical levels in the water and adjust dosing accordingly, and proper records must be kept.
Compliance Procedure
As the updated guidance affirms, “Communication and management procedures are particularly important where several people are responsible for different aspects of the spa pool’s operation. Responsibilities and lines of communication should be clearly defined, reviewed and documented to ensure they are effective, and documentary evidence made available for inclusion in internal and external audits. This also applies to external contractors who may be responsible for certain aspects of the control regime.” This includes ensuring that there is sufficient cover in place for when operatives are on holiday or off sick.
Not only are Cleartech members of the Legionella Control Association, they also employ City & Guild’s qualified risk assessors that can determine whether or not your spa pool contains Legionella bacteria, as well as, water hygiene engineers that will carry out remedial works and collect water samples to be tested for Legionella at a UKAS accredited laboratory.
For more information on Legionella compliance or to speak to a water hygiene engineer or risk assessor, call today on 01698 682000, send an email to [email protected] or submit a contact form on our website.
